Thailand Tonight – 20/01/10

NANA PLAZA – WELCOME TO THE NEON JUNGLE

NANA PLAZA UPDATE – The temporary crackdown on ‘showing’ in Nana Plaza has been lifted on January 20th. At least 10 go-go bars in Nana Plaza have reverted back to mono bikinis. Furthermore, even a few go-go bars have gone from swim suits to birthday suits. Hooray!

Nana Plaza has gone through several fazes of change over the past decade, or so. Even today, the changes in Nana Plaza continue. Currently, there is an issue regarding ‘showing’ in the go-go bars that has not been resolved. The majority of go-go bars are left in limbo and are waiting on a decision from the mysterious MIB (Men In Brown). Last night the go-go girls in the majority of bars were dancing in bikinis. However, the permission to ‘show’ again from the MIB will be granted very soon. Nobody seems to know the actual reason for this, except that it is an MIB (Men In Brown) issue of some kind. If you think ‘teatime’ and power play, you are most probably heading in the right direction. It is all rather confusing, but it is part of the ‘Amazing Thailand’ landscape, where there is always something happening.

The Rainbow Bars have recently increased the price of house beers and spirits to 145 baht. The timing of the drinks price increase ties in with the extra pay-for-play required for getting down to the bare essentials. Rainbow 4 has adopted a mix ‘n’ match approach, with some go-go dancers in bikinis and others in mono bikinis. Hey, even a few go-go girls have abandoned their swimsuits for birthday suits!

NEW GO-GO DANCERS & SHOWGIRLS IN ANGELWITCH BAR

Angelwitch Showtime now starts a bit later at 10:15pm and continues for at least 3 hours every night. There are some new faces among the Showgirls and a few among the dancing line-up as well. Three of the new Angelwitch go-go girls used to dance in Pattaya. One of the new go-go dancers ‘Cat’ is particularly tall and leggy for a Thai girl and she is a definite contender for the ‘Rear Of The Year’ award. Also, Cat has very interesting body art all the way down one side. Can you tame this wild Cat?

AFTER DARK ASIA - PRETTY LADY GO-GO BAR - NANA PLAZA - BANGKOK

SPANKYS ARE WHIPPING THEM INTO SHAPE

If you are looking for the ‘fun factor’ Spankys can always whip something up for you. The format is fun ‘n’ frolics and Spankys is certainly a welcomed addition to Nana Plaza. In Spankys, they really enjoy whipping the girls into shape! If you are not aware, the girls use black foam tubes to spank each other. This is all free fun, but in Farangland, you would pay a fortune to either do or see that. The new sofa seats in Spankys are much more spacious and comfortable. The big boys can now sit down without doing an impression of a contortionist!

DUDE LOOKS LIKE A LADY

The number of ‘katoeys’ or lady boys hanging around lower Sukhumvit late at night has increased significantly. You need to be more streetwise these days around lower Sukhumvit, because some (not all) lady boys are stealth pickpockets. More and more gangs of lady boys are appearing on the stretch from Sukhumvit Soi 3 right along towards Asoke. I have noticed that the pavement pubs that start from Sukhumvit Soi 3/1 are home to groups of lady boys, as well as Thai bar girls. Due to being outnumbered, it is best not to be confrontational and therefore, use conflict avoidance tactics. When things turn nasty I have seen katoeys gang up on individuals and they use weapons. Also, remember that no matter what they look like, you are fighting someone who was born a man.

THE ADVENTURES OF TARZAN

While we are on the subject of being streetwise, the community of Africans on lower Sukhumvit after dark seems to be growing. Groups of dodgy African men are wheeling and dealing, whilst native African women parade around with backsides like elephants. I can tell you, as a Caucasian walking along lower Sukhumvit after dark; it makes you feel like Tarzan! There is a new breed of streetwalkers and they are the Big Mama Brigade. These African women are selling their wares from Sukhumvit Soi 3 right along the pavement pubs. A few Big Mamas can be quite aggressive, so be wary of them. The Big Mama Brigade can be summed up in two words, BIG and SCARY!

SOI COWBOY – LITTLE LAS VEGAS

Both Tony’s Bar and Joe’s Bar have been bought by the Iranian who owns several other go-go bars in Soi Cowboy. It is most probable that as the new owner, he will combine the two bars in to one go-go bar. Meanwhile, the Iranian’s empire in Soi Cowboy continues to expand. Two go-go bars owned by the Iranian that are doing quite a good trade are Cowboy 2 and Midnite Bar. Midnite has some naughty nubiles, it features coyote dancers and is one of the only bars in Soi Cowboy that has lady boys.

AFTER DARK ASIA - SA (SPANKYS) & VUN (ANGELWITCH)

PATPONG PARTY IN BLACK PAGODA

This Friday, January 22nd, there is a Deca Dance Party at Black Pagoda in Patpong Soi 2. The two main DJs at Deca Dance are DJ Junior and DJ A Jay. The party kicks off at 9:00pm. There is a fantastic drinks deal, when you buy a bottle of JW Black Label, you get a second bottle FREE. Another bonus is that there is NO COVER CHARGE. Don’t be shy give Black Pagoda a try!

WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING

Down in Silom, the Irish eyes are smiling in O’Reilly’s Pub, because they have live music with the talented Irish band the Roaring Bhoys. They play every Monday and Thursday from 9:30pm until late. Also, there is Pub Quiz Night every Tuesday and it starts at 7:30pm sharp. Apparently, according to Stickman there are some good prizes to be won. Perhaps one of the prizes is a night out in Bangkok with the enigmatic Stickman!

WILD WEDNESDAYS IN THE LONDONER PUB

The Londoner Brew Pub on Sukhumvit Soi 33 in Bangkok, offers 2-4-1 on standard drinks every Wednesday. In addition, every Tuesday The Londoner Pub serves food all day with a 50% discount. Check it out!

BULL’S HEAD PUB QUIZ AND LIVE MUSIC WITH LEE SHAMROCK

Every Wednesday the Bull’s Head pub host their popular Pub Quiz with pints of Tiger Draught at just 100 baht. Following the pub Quiz there is live music with singer, guitarist and entertainer Lee Shamrock from 9:00pm until late. The Bull’s Head pub is located opposite Emporium Shopping Mall on Sukhumvit Soi 33/1 (BTS Phrom Phong).

THAILAND TONIGHT & DAVES RAVES – My weekly Thailand nightlife column ‘THAILAND TONIGHT’ is now published on Wednesdays. In addition, ‘DAVES RAVES’ and other articles will be published throughout the week. Check the Side Bar (right-hand side below REVIEW PAGES) and you will find daily updates.